This is an interesting retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses and although I haven't read the original I have read several other retellings that I have enjoyed of this story. There are a few darker scenes closer to the end of the story as the villains plot and identity is revealed but overall it is an enjoyable story.

Series Character & Story Connections for Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold
Find out where the ravens flew off to in Silence: Little Mermaid Retold (Book #05)
Bianca’s sister Ava’s story is in Fly: Goose Girl Retold (Book #03) 🌟🌟🌟 ( )

This is a new one to me, I had not heard of Twelve Dancing Princesses but that did not stop me from enjoying this retelling.
Twelve princesses including Bianca are sent to the summer palace, which is a place full of mystery that is full of mystery as no woman has ever returned. Although Bianca’s sisters are quite happy to be there, she just wants to escape.
When she happens upon a wounded soldier, Vasco they befriend each other and they’re determined to solve the mystery and break the curse.
This was a great tale that captured me from the beginning and had me listening to the whole book in one sitting.
The narrator told the tale well, her voice was easy to listen to, and it was like she was actually the characters.
Overall, it was really good and I enjoyed it immensely.
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I found it interesting how Demelza Carlton tied this retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses with her retelling of the Little Mermaid. However, the books can be read in any order. Neither spoils the other. I also like how her characters have magic and aren't merely damsels in distress. Bianca was a talented witch in addition to being a princess. She was also a bit of an amateur sleuth. It was fun.

My complaint with this book is similar to the last one. The felt like YA, except it began and ended with sex. It just felt out of place, as did certain motivations of the main characters. I think this series would make more sense if it was clean, sweet YA romance, but in this case, you could skip the prologue, skip the last chapter, still get the full story, and avoid the sex. In case that is useful to anyone.

I received a free audiobook from StoryOrigin and have reviewed it willingly. ( )